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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $74,480–$97,277 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.5/10, while Value at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sports — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.3/10 for reliability, this sports trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.2/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.5/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $74,480–$97,277, 13 MPG, seating 2, the Mercedes-Benz SL sits in the luxury tier of the sports market. The value score of 5.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and value scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz SL ranks #278 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 12% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $74,480 starting price is about 62% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Across the SL model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $100,940 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $100,940 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $98,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $95,060 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $92,120 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.3/10 | $89,180 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $86,240 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $83,300 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $80,360 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $77,420 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $74,480 | |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $71,540 | Read review → |
Other sportss at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
